Cape Elizabeth, ME

Planning Board

The Cape Elizabeth Planning Board will hold a workshop to discuss a driveway reconfiguration for the Hidden Court subdivision and prepare amendments to zoning regulations to promote housing as required by the state. The meeting also covers internal logistics and committee work. No public speaking is permitted at this workshop, though written comments may be submitted to the Town Planner.

• Discussion of reconfiguration of the private access driveway (R2-4-1) for Hidden Court/340 Ocean House Rd Subdivision Amendment by Hidden Court LLC
• Preparation of amendments to municipal zoning changes to promote housing, as referred by the Town Council
• Discussion of Planning Board meeting logistics, related committee work, legislative updates, and training

School Building Committee

The Cape Elizabeth School Building Committee is meeting to receive updates on the school building project from Harriman, the owner's representative Turner & Townsend Heery, and a fundraising and groundbreaking update from the Superintendent and Business Manager. The agenda is procedural, consisting of status reports with no public comment.

• Harriman monthly update
• Turner & Townsend Heery monthly update
• Fundraising and groundbreaking update

Recycling Committee

School Board

Town Council

General

Ad Hoc 1934 Building Committee

Accessibility & Inclusion Committee

Planning Board

Fort Williams Park Committee

Energy Committee

Town Council

General

Zoning Board of Appeals

Thomas Memorial Library Committee

Town Council

General

Planning Board

General

Recycling Committee

Accessibility & Inclusion Committee

School Board

General

Fort Williams Park Committee

Energy Committee

Town Council

General

Planning Board

Zoning Board of Appeals

Town Council

Town Council

Planning Board

Recycling Committee

Accessibility & Inclusion Committee

Conservation Committee

School Board

General

Town Council

Planning Board

Energy Committee

Fort Williams Park Committee

Zoning Board of Appeals

Thomas Memorial Library Committee

Planning Board

Recycling Committee

General

Town Council

Town Council

School Board

Conservation Committee

Community Services Committee

Accessibility & Inclusion Committee

Accessibility & Inclusion Committee

Planning Board

Fort Williams Park Committee

Town Council

Town Council

General

Zoning Board of Appeals

Town Council

Town Council

Planning Board

Recycling Committee

Accessibility & Inclusion Committee

Accessibility & Inclusion Committee

Conservation Committee

Town Council

Planning Board

Fort Williams Park Committee

Zoning Board of Appeals

Thomas Memorial Library Committee

Planning Board

Accessibility & Inclusion Committee

Accessibility & Inclusion Committee

Community Services Committee

Fort Williams Park Committee

Zoning Board of Appeals

Accessibility & Inclusion Committee

Accessibility & Inclusion Committee

Zoning Board of Appeals

Thomas Memorial Library Committee

Accessibility & Inclusion Committee

Zoning Board of Appeals

Accessibility & Inclusion Committee

Thomas Memorial Library Committee

Planning Board

Zoning Board of Appeals

School Board

The Cape Elizabeth School Board Policy Committee will consider revisions to two policies: BEDH on public participation, updated after a recent court preliminary finding, and JLF on reporting child abuse and neglect, aligned with 2026 mandated reporting law changes. The committee will also discuss removing JLFA (sexual abuse prevention) from the policy manual, as recommended by MSMA. No public comment is taken at this meeting.

• BEDH - Public Participation: update to allow reasonable time, place, and manner restrictions on public comment
• JLF - Reporting Child Abuse and Neglect: all school personnel designated as mandated reporters; reports within 24 hours
• JLF-R and JLF-E: procedure and report form updates for child abuse reporting
• JLFA - Sexual Abuse Prevention and Response: proposed removal from policy manual
• Upcoming policies: JKAA (physical restraint), EBCF (automated defibrillators), IKFA (early graduation)

General

The Cape Elizabeth Town Council is holding a regular meeting to review and finalize several administrative items, including draft minutes, a communications-response matrix, a mission statement, and responses to public comment. They will also review results from a FlashVote communications survey. The agenda is largely procedural, focusing on internal governance and communication practices.

• Review draft minutes from August 12, 2026
• Finalize Town Council Communications-Response Matrix
• Review Communications Mission Statement
• Review Town Council response to Public Comment (Code of Ethics, Town Council Rules)
• Review FlashVote Communications Survey Results

Town Council

The Cape Elizabeth Town Council is holding a special meeting to conduct a public hearing and consider a special amusement permit for The Good Table, and to refer a review of Chapter 5 (Commercial Licenses and Permits) to the Ordinance Committee. The agenda also includes approval of draft minutes from August 10, 2026, and opportunities for public comment on items not on the agenda.

• Public hearing and consideration of special amusement permit for The Good Table
• Ordinance Committee referral for Chapter 5, Commercial Licenses and Permits
• Approval of August 10, 2026 draft minutes

Traffic Safety Working Group

The Cape Elizabeth Traffic Safety Working Group will meet to discuss a list of 10 resident-submitted road safety requests, including speed limit signs, crosswalks, and traffic calming. The group will also receive an update from the Police Department on temporary parking restrictions and review draft minutes from April. Shore Road parking and access issues are deferred to a September meeting.

• Fowler Road: request to expand shoulder and add sidewalks
• Cottage Farm Road: request for speed limit signs
• Mitchell Road: crosswalks and sight line issues
• Spurwink Ave: 'No through trucks' and 'Children at Play' sign requests
• Reef Road: limit parking for safe access due to road width

Energy Committee

Fort Williams Park Committee

The Fort Williams Park Committee will meet to discuss updates and future projects at the park, including a cell tower discussion with the town manager, a Friends of Fort Williams update, and several specific park improvements. The committee will also approve draft minutes from June 18, 2026, and take public comment on both agenda and non-agenda items.

• Cell Tower Discussion with Town Manager Pat Fox
• Goddard Mansion QR vendor
• Playground benches, shade, and statue
• Stone Wall & Fencing RFPs
• Amy St. Laurent Bench

Planning Board

The Cape Elizabeth Planning Board will hold public hearings on a site plan for a commercial/18-unit mixed-use building at 316 Ocean House Rd and a subdivision amendment for a deck at 77 Starboard Dr. They will also consider a one-year extension for the Center Court 35-unit multifamily project and a site plan amendment for the Cape Community Arena. The meeting includes consent agenda approval of minutes and public comment.

• Cape Commons Site Plan Review: 18-unit mixed-use building at 316 Ocean House Rd (public hearing)
• 77 Starboard Dr Subdivision Amendment: deck expansion for unit #77 (public hearing)
• Center Court Site Plan Extension: one-year extension for 35-unit multifamily at 300 Town Common Circle
• Cape Community Arena Site Plan Amendment: permanent arena on Gull Crest Drive

General

The Ad Hoc 1934 Building Committee is meeting to discuss potential municipal and community uses for the 1934 Building. They will review pros and cons, develop a viability ratings matrix, and consider FlashVote surveys to gather public input. The meeting includes public comment and approval of prior minutes.

• Review pros and cons of potential municipal/community uses
• Develop viability ratings matrix for potential uses
• FlashVote surveys
• Approve July 28, 2026 draft minutes

General

The Cape Elizabeth Town Council is holding a regular meeting with public comment, minutes approval, and a discussion on protocols for responding to community emails. They will also continue reviewing the council's Goals & Objectives and discuss desired outcomes. The agenda is largely procedural and discussion-focused, with no major votes or financial items listed.

• Public Comment Period
• Approve draft minutes from July 28, 2026
• Discussion: Town Council protocols for responding to community emails
• Continue review of Goals & Objectives
• Discussion of Desired Outcomes

School Building Committee

The Cape Elizabeth School Building Committee is meeting to receive updates from the project architect (Harriman), the owner's representative (Turner & Townsend Heery), and the Superintendent and Business Manager on fundraising and groundbreaking. No votes or decisions are listed on the agenda; it is primarily an informational session.

• Update from Harriman on the school building project
• Monthly update from owner's representative Turner & Townsend Heery
• Fundraising and groundbreaking update from Superintendent and Business Manager

School Board

The Cape Elizabeth School Board will hold a special business meeting to approve the nomination of two new elementary special education teachers for the 2026-2027 school year. The agenda also includes the approval of minutes from previous June meetings and public comment. No other substantive business items are listed.

• Approval of nomination for Sarah Hoopes as Elementary Special Education teacher
• Approval of nomination for Brittany Martin as Elementary Special Education teacher
• Approval of minutes from June 9 and June 16, 2026 meetings

The Cape Elizabeth School Board held a special business meeting and approved the minutes from three prior meetings. The board also unanimously approved the nomination of Sarah Hoopes and Brittany Martin as elementary special education teachers for the 2026-2027 school year. No public comments were made, and the meeting adjourned.

• Approved Executive Session minutes from June 9, 2026 (4-0)
• Approved Regular Business minutes from June 9, 2026 (4-0)
• Approved Special Business minutes from June 16, 2026 (4-0)
• Approved nominations of Sarah Hoopes and Brittany Martin as elementary special education teachers (5-0)

Community Services Committee

The Community Services Committee will hold a regular meeting with public comment, approval of draft minutes from April 8, 2026, and updates on CECS department activities and Fort Williams/PHL. The agenda is largely procedural with no specific decisions or proposals listed.

• Public comment period
• Approval of draft minutes from April 8, 2026
• CECS Department Updates
• Fort Williams and PHL Update

Conservation Committee

Town Council

The Cape Elizabeth Town Council is holding a workshop to discuss potential amendments to the Town Center TIF District to allow greater flexibility in using funds for community development, staff, equipment, and infrastructure. They will also enter executive session to review findings from a privacy and security assessment of IT systems, and discuss updates to the Council's communication policy, including protocols for public emails to the full Council.

• Potential amendments to Town Center TIF District for broader fund use
• Executive session on Privacy and Security Assessment with Affinity IT Security Services
• Discussion on updating 2010 Council Communication Policy, including email protocols

Town Council

The Cape Elizabeth Town Council will hold a regular meeting with several agenda items, including a presentation from the Spirit of America Foundation, a special amusement permit for The Good Table, a liquor license for Inn By the Sea, an update from the 1934 Building Committee, and referrals for amendments to the Personnel Code and paper reduction. The council will also discuss housing-related ordinance amendments. Public comment is available both in person and remotely.

• Special Amusement Permit - The Good Table
• Liquor License - Inn By the Sea
• Chapter 3 - Personnel Code Amendments - Referral to Ordinance Committee
• Paper Reduction Amendments
• Housing Related Ordinance Amendments

Recycling Committee

The Recycling Committee is holding a regular meeting to approve draft minutes from June 3, 2026, discuss outreach and communications, receive member updates, and get a Recycling Center update. Public comment is allowed for items on and off the agenda, with a three-minute limit per speaker. The agenda is largely procedural with no specific decisions or proposals listed.

• Approval of draft minutes from June 3, 2026
• Discussion of outreach, communications, and social media
• Recycling Center update
• Public comment opportunities for agenda and non-agenda items

Planning Board

The Cape Elizabeth Planning Board is holding a workshop meeting to discuss two items. The main item is a request from Michael Connell to upgrade Penny Lane to a Private Road to provide access to a lot adjacent to 7 Gladys Road (U19-38). The board will also discuss meeting logistics, related committee work, legislative updates, and training. Public comment is via written submissions only, as there is no opportunity to speak at the workshop.

• Penny Lane private road upgrade request by Michael Connell
• Lot access adjacent to 7 Gladys Road (U19-38)
• Discussion of Planning Board meeting logistics
• Update on related committees and legislation
• Planning Board training discussion

Town Council

The Communication Working Group is meeting to review and discuss current communications policies and guidance documents, including the 2010 Communications Strategy and 2009 Website Operating Guidelines. They will also examine neighboring towns' policies and set goals and strategies for future work.

• Review of Communications Strategy 2010
• Review of Website Operating Guidelines 2009
• Discussion of Public Communications Coordinator Job Description
• Review of neighboring towns' policies (South Portland, Scarborough)

The Communications Working Group agreed to use the March 2024 redlined document as the basis for a new strategic communication plan, adopting four primary objectives: Strategic Communication, Transparency and Accessibility, Engaged Town Council, and Community Engagement. They will collaborate on a shared Google document and refine email response protocols, with a workshop scheduled for August 10, 2026. No formal votes were taken; decisions were made by consensus.

• Adopted March 2024 redlined document as foundation for new communication strategy (consensus)
• Adopted four primary objectives: Strategic Communication, Transparency and Accessibility, Engaged Town Council, Community Engagement
• Agreed to include strategy under Priorities and Goals tied to Desired Outcomes
• Agreed to collaborate via shared Google document
• Agreed to use tax bill mailings as cost-effective communication channel
• Scheduled workshop to formalize email response protocols for August 10, 2026

Ad Hoc 1934 Building Committee

The Ad Hoc 1934 Building Committee will review pros and cons of selling/leasing versus removing/demolishing the 1934 Building, and will review draft community survey data points. They will also approve the July 14 draft minutes and set the August meeting schedule.

• Review of lease/sale pros and cons for the 1934 Building
• Review of removal/demolition pros and cons for the 1934 Building
• Review of draft community survey data points
• Approval of July 14, 2026 draft minutes
• August meeting schedule

The committee reviewed pros and cons of selling, leasing, or demolishing the 1934 building, but made no decisions on these options. They approved the previous meeting's minutes with an amendment, removing the word 'narrow' from a description of a 6% margin of error. The committee also brainstormed potential future uses and discussed a community survey strategy.

• Approved previous meeting minutes as amended (6-0)
• Discussed sale vs. lease of 1934 building (no decision)
• Explored removal/demolition of 1934 building (no decision)
• Brainstormed future uses for the building (no decision)
• Agreed to focus community survey on core values, not specific solutions

Zoning Board of Appeals

Planning Board

Planning Board

The Cape Elizabeth Planning Board will consider site plan completeness for a proposed commercial/18-unit mixed-use building at 316 Ocean House Rd, and hold a public hearing on zoning amendments to reduce paper submission requirements. The meeting includes approval of prior minutes and public comment periods.

• Site plan review for Cape Commons, 18-unit mixed-use building at 316 Ocean House Rd
• Public hearing on Paperwork Reduction Amendments to Zoning and Subdivision Ordinances
• Approval of minutes from May 19, 2026 meeting and June 16, 2026 workshop

The Planning Board voted 7-0 to deem the site plan application for the Cape Commons mixed-use building at 316 Ocean House Rd complete, then voted 7-0 to table the review to the August 18, 2026 meeting, where a public hearing will be held. The board also voted 7-0 to recommend Paperwork Reduction Amendments to the Town Council, including changes to submission requirements. No public comments were made on either item.

• Deemed Cape Commons site plan application complete (7-0)
• Tabled Cape Commons site plan review to Aug. 18, 2026 public hearing (7-0)
• Recommended Paperwork Reduction Amendments to Town Council (7-0)
• Approved May 19, 2026 meeting minutes as amended (7-0)
• Approved June 16, 2026 workshop minutes (7-0)

Energy Committee

The Cape Elizabeth Energy Committee is meeting to discuss the Climate Action and Community Resilience Partnership, an item on the agenda. The meeting also includes roll call, public comment, and approval of previous minutes. No other substantive items are listed.

• Discussion of Climate Action and Community Resilience Partnership

Ad Hoc 1934 Building Committee

The Ad Hoc 1934 Building Committee will discuss the municipal use and outline drafts of the 1934 Building Report. The meeting includes a presentation on the building's market assessment and a Broker Opinion of Value by Brandon Mitchell. The committee will also review removal cost information if available.

• Discussion of 1934 Building Report Municipal Use Draft (July 7, 2026)
• Discussion of 1934 Building Report Outline Draft
• Presentation on 1934 Building Market Assessment with Brandon Mitchell
• Review of Malone Broker Opinion of Value
• Review of Removal Costs Information

The Cape Elizabeth Ad Hoc 1934 Building Committee met on July 14, 2026, and discussed the draft municipal use report, the final report outline, and a market assessment presented by Brandon Mitchell. No formal decisions were made; the meeting was procedural and informational.

• Approved June 22, 2026 draft minutes
• Discussed July 7, 2026 draft of 1934 Building Report Municipal Use Draft
• Discussed Final Report Outline Draft
• Received presentation on 1934 Building Market Assessment with Brandon Mitchell

Conservation Committee

The Cape Elizabeth Conservation Committee will discuss the implementation and management of greenbelt projects, including setting priorities for fiscal year 2027. The agenda includes status reports on the 'Adopt a Trail' program, Great Pond boat racks, and other trail work, as well as discussions regarding e-bikes and leaf blowing on trails. The August meeting has been canceled, with the next session scheduled for September 8, 2026.

• Priority setting for FY 2027 greenbelt implementation and management projects
• Status report on the 'Adopt a Trail' program
• Discussion regarding e-bikes on trails
• Discussion regarding leaf blowing on trails
• Status report on Great Pond boat racks

Town Council

The Cape Elizabeth Town Council will review the June 2026 financial reports and approve the minutes from the June 15 meeting. The primary decision items include the appointment of a new Town Clerk, a school renovation loan from the Maine Bond Bank, and an extension of the Cape Community Arena Group Agreement. The council will also address General Fund budget carryforwards from FY 2026 to FY 2027 and receive an update from the Fort Williams Park Committee.

• Appointment of Town Clerk
• School Renovation Loan from Maine Bond Bank
• Cape Community Arena Group Agreement extension
• General Fund Budget Carryforwards FY 2026 to FY 2027
• Fort Williams Park Committee presentation

Town Council

The Town Council will hold a workshop to discuss two items: a proposal by the Cape Community Arena Group for a permanent open-air ice arena adjacent to the Gull Crest fields, and a review of the town's communication policy, including recent FlashVote survey results. No formal votes are scheduled; the meeting is for discussion and direction.

• Cape Community Arena Group presents plans for permanent open-air ice arena at Gull Crest fields
• Discussion of construction and operation agreement for the arena project
• Review of FlashVote citizen survey on town communications
• Drafting of a new communication policy (last updated 2010)

Planning Board